How to Get Carpet Glue Off Wood Floors

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Things You'll Need

  • Rubber gloves

  • Fan

  • Plastic putty knife

  • Adhesive remover

  • Mineral spirits

  • Paintbrush

  • Rags

  • Floor mop

  • Water

Carpet glue can be tricky to remove from a wood floor without damage.

Although you can use a metal floor scraper to remove old carpet glue from most types of floors, the scraper would damage a wood floor. For wood floors, you can remove carpet glue with adhesive remover or mineral spirits, both available at home improvement stores. Once the liquid has softened the carpet glue, scrape it up with a plastic putty knife. Use mineral spirits for dark or tan carpet glue and adhesive remover for yellow carpet glue.

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Step 1

Open windows in the room and place a fan near a window to remove the chemical fumes. Put on rubber gloves to protect your hands from the chemicals as you work.

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Step 2

Scrape up any loose carpet glue with a plastic putty knife, but don't force up any glue that is adhered fast to the wood floor.

Step 3

Apply adhesive remover or mineral spirits to the remaining carpet glue. Let the chemicals work on the glue according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Step 4

Pry up the softened carpet glue with a plastic putty knife.

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Step 5

Pour adhesive remover or mineral spirits to a rag. Clean away any remaining glue with the rag.

Step 6

Mop the floor with plain water to remove any remaining chemicals. Leave the windows open for 24 hours to let the fumes dissipate.

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